New Delhi: Three fatal accidents involving Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses in a month have raised questions about their safety standards. DTC buses have also been racking up traffic violations in the city, averaging about four challans a day.Data till Oct 20 this year reveals 1,271 on-the-spot challans were issued to DTC buses. Of these, 814 challans were for improper or obstructive parking, followed by 148 for jumping traffic signals, 82 for violating stop-line rules, 59 for permit violations and 56 for not wearing seat belts.In 2025, DTC buses received 1,487 on-the-spot challans. Of these, 755 were for improper or obstructive parking, 130 for jumping signals, 53 for stop-line violations, 252 for permit violations and 172 for not wearing seat belts.Traffic officials said there were multiple reasons for the violations. “Bus drivers often claim they are running late and under pressure to get passengers to their destinations on time. In other cases, when they fail to stop at a designated bus stop, they argue that passengers were still waiting there, forcing them to move forward to accommodate them,” said a traffic officer.Action is taken against DTC drivers found guilty of negligence and other traffic violations, he said, adding that equal emphasis is placed on raising awareness among drivers to prevent accidents. “Drivers are sensitised to road safety and informed about the legal consequences of violations to encourage responsible driving,” the officer said.Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Education, said a major challenge in Delhi is the absence of proper traffic-engineered bus lanes.“Requiring buses to remain in designated lanes doesn’t make those lanes exclusive or safe. Buses operate in mixed traffic, sharing road space with two-wheelers, cyclists and other vulnerable road users, with frequent movements across lanes creating conflicts,” he said.“Road traffic violations and crashes should also be treated as symptoms through which we identify systemic failures. The involvement of a bus or another heavy vehicle should not, by itself, determine responsibility for a crash. We must examine road design, traffic management, the conduct of all road users, and the conditions under which drivers work,” he added.Baluja called for a comprehensive audit of bus operations, including lane design, junctions, bus stops, schedule pressures and enforcement practices. “Drivers must be accountable for their actions, but accountability must also extend to the authorities and operators responsible for providing a safe operating environment,” he said.Anil Chhikara, former Delhi deputy transport commissioner, said DTC bus violations are driven in part by the pressure on contractual drivers to meet stipulated timings and complete assigned trips within their duty hours. Heavy traffic congestion further contributes to delays, prompting drivers to make up for lost time.Chhikara also flagged non-functioning speed-limiting devices as a safety concern. Dedicated bus lanes are often occupied by two-wheelers and other vehicles, obstructing buses and forcing them to merge into adjacent lanes, disrupting traffic flow and increasing the risk of accidents. These factors also contribute to dangerous overtaking, as drivers attempt to make up for lost time amid congestion and pressure to meet schedules.When contacted, there was no immediate response from DTC.